Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors Flashcards
What is the most common sarcoma of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract?
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).
What type of cells are GISTs derived from?
Mesenchymal cells known as interstitial cells of Cajal.
Where do GISTs most commonly present in the GI tract?
The stomach, followed by the small bowel, rectum, and colon.
What mutation is most commonly associated with GISTs?
Gain of function mutation in the KIT proto-oncogene, found in about 75% of GISTs.
What percentage of KIT-wild type (WT) tumors have mutations in platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) α?
Approximately 80% of KIT-WT tumors.
What other mutation has been reported in KIT-WT GISTs, and what is its prevalence?
BRAF mutations, found in 13% of KIT-WT tumors.
Which familial syndromes are associated with KIT-WT GISTs?
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and mutations in succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)
What is the role of Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) in the treatment of GIST?
It is a TKI that targets ABL, BCR-ABL, KIT, and PDGFR, used in both metastatic and adjuvant settings for GIST management.
What is the benefit of neoadjuvant Imatinib therapy in GIST?
It may improve resectability of locally advanced tumors and allow for organ-preserving surgery in anatomically challenging locations.
What factors are used to estimate the risk of recurrence in GIST patients?
Tumor size
mitotic index
organ site
specific mutations in KIT.
What is the typical age and gender distribution for GIST?
in adults, median presenting age of 60 years and a slight male predominance
Where are GISTs most commonly found within the GI tract?
The majority are found in the stomach (> 50%), followed by the small bowel (25%–35%).
Which sections of the small bowel are most commonly affected by GISTs?
Most small bowel GISTs are found in the ileum and jejunum, with only 5% in the duodenum
How are GISTs commonly discovered?
Often incidentally during endoscopy, imaging, or unrelated surgeries.
What symptoms may present with larger GISTs?
Pain, fullness, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, or a noticeable mass
Why might approximately one-quarter of GIST patients present with GI bleeding?
Due to erosion and ulceration of the underlying mucosa.
What is a rare but serious prognostic factor related to bleeding in GIST?
Tumor rupture into the peritoneal cavity, which may lead to life-threatening hemorrhage
Where does GIST typically metastasize?
Metastasis usually involves the liver or peritoneal cavity.
How common is lymph node involvement in adult GIST
It is rare, occurring in less than 5% of patients.
What characterizes pediatric GIST compared to adult GIST?
Pediatric GIST often involves SDH deficiency, is indolent, has female predominance, multifocal disease, frequent lymph node metastasis, and is universally resistant to imatinib.
What are familial GISTs associated with?
Germline mutations in KIT or PDGFRα, typically presenting as multifocal and indolent tumors
What are Carney’s triad and Carney-Stratakis syndrome?
Carney’s triad includes GIST, paraganglioma, and pulmonary chondroma
Carney-Stratakis syndrome involves GIST and paraganglioma
both associated with SDH mutations
Which other tumors might patients with NF1 mutations develop along with GIST?
gliomas, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, and neurofibromas
What is the imaging modality of choice for the initial evaluation of a GIST?
Cross-sectional imaging with a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis with IV and oral contrast
What are the typical CT scan features of a GIST?
An enhancing mass arising in the wall of the stomach or small intestine
How can GIST tumors be grossly categorized?
As exophytic, endophytic, or mixed/dumbbell-shaped.
Why might smaller GIST tumors not be visible on a CT scan?
They may be obscured depending on the level of bowel or stomach distention and whether oral contrast was administered.
What large mass might be misinterpreted as a primary liver tumor on a CT scan?
A large hypervascular mass arising from the lesser curvature of the stomach.
When is MRI particularly useful in evaluating GIST?
For further delineating anatomy in periampullary and rectal tumors.
Is PET/CT necessary for the initial assessment of GIST?
No, but
it may be considered for detecting occult metastatic disease and assessing tumor response to TKIs.
What role does PET/CT have for NF1 patients in GIST evaluation?
It may help distinguish neurofibromas from GIST tumors
What is the next step in evaluation if a CT scan shows features suggestive of GIST?
Endoscopic evaluation, including endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and fine-needle aspirate (FNA).
Why should percutaneous biopsies be avoided for small bowel GISTs?
Due to the risk of peritoneal dissemination.
What is the gold standard for confirming a GIST diagnosis?
Tissue analysis to rule out other potential tumors and confirm the presence of GIST.
What cell type is typically seen on pathology for GIST, and which marker is used for confirmation?
Spindle cells that stain positive for CD117 (KIT) on immunohistochemistry
Why is tissue analysis important beyond confirming GIST?
To detect additional genetic mutations (e.g., PDGFRα, BRAF, SDH, NF1) and guide targeted therapy.
For which GIST tumor locations is tissue diagnosis particularly necessary?
Tumors at the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), periampullary duodenum, or rectum that may require a potentially morbid operation.
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What are the three clinicopathologic parameters that independently predict recurrence risk after complete resection of primary GIST?
Tumor size, mitotic rate, and tumor site
What tumor characteristics are considered poor prognostic indicators in GIST?
Tumor size greater than 5 cm
mitotic rate over 5/50 high-powered field (HPF)
nongastric tumor site.
How can identifying specific mutations (e.g., KIT, PDGFR, SDH) in GIST be beneficial?
It provides information on responsiveness to targeted therapy and progression-free survival (PFS) after resection.
What is the most common KIT mutation, and where does it commonly occur in GIST?
Exon 11 mutation, occurring in 65% of all GISTs.
What is the significance of deletions in codons 557 and 558 of KIT exon 11?
Tumors with these deletions are more likely to metastasize or recur compared to other mutation types.
What did the ACOSOG Z9001 study reveal about KIT exon 11 deletions and adjuvant imatinib?
Patients with KIT exon 11 deletions showed significant improvement in RFS with 1 year of adjuvant imatinib.
Which KIT mutation is associated with nongastric GIST and has more aggressive biology?
KIT exon 9 mutation, found in about 10% of GISTs.
What is the recommended imatinib dose for patients with KIT exon 9 mutations in metastatic unresectable GIST?
A higher dose of 800 mg daily, as opposed to the standard 400 mg.
What percentage of GISTs have PDGFRα mutations, and where are they typically located?
About 10%, almost always in the stomach.
What is the significance of the PDGFRα exon 18 (D842V) mutation in GIST?
It confers resistance to imatinib but responds to avapritinib therapy.
Which FDA-approved drug is used as first-line therapy for GIST patients with the PDGFRα exon 18 (D842V) mutation?
Avapritinib.
According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), when is resection indicated for GISTs
For all GISTs greater than 2 cm in size in patients who are suitable surgical candidates
How are GISTs smaller than 2 cm managed if they are asymptomatic and indolent?
They can be observed with surveillance imaging
When might surgical resection be considered for patients with locally advanced or low volume metastatic GIST?
In selected cases, potentially along with neoadjuvant therapy
What is the guideline for imatinib therapy in patients undergoing surgery?
Imatinib can be stopped right before surgery and restarted once the patient tolerates oral medications